Bold and earnest, with terrific chemistry: Here's what critics are saying about 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'
Early reviews for The Fantastic Four: First Steps are in: It's a reboot worth watching.
Set in a retro-futuristic, midcentury America, The Fantastic Four: First Steps follows Marvel's First Family — Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) — as they work to protect Earth from a planet-consuming space god named Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).
Following its release on Friday, the film's commercial success is already apparent. Marvel's latest superhero flick has earned a whopping $24.4 million in previews, surpassing Superman's $22.5 million previews high from earlier this month. In addition to nabbing the best preview result of the year so far, First Steps is projected to make between $100 million and $110 million in its opening weekend, according to Variety.
The film has already received better reviews than its 20-year-old predecessor. The Los Angeles Times criticized 2005's Fantastic Four for its lack of 'a strong, dramatic through-line,' while Entertainment Weekly called it a 'clumsy, cheesy and chintzy adaptation' with special effects that look 'dated the moment you see them.' Roger Ebert gave the original film a single star rating, calling it 'in short, underwhelming.'
Here's a roundup of some of the early reviews for The Fantastic Four: First Steps:
A possible cure for 'superhero exhaustion'
Variety says that while director Matt Shakman gives 'the Fantastic Four sufficient time to establish their personalities,' the film, at times, resembles 'a live-action take on 'The Jetsons.'' Still, First Steps, per the outlet, 'feels like a fresh start' and could be 'just what it takes to win back audiences suffering from superhero exhaustion.'
'A smooth-enough ride that can even be periodically thrilling'
The New York Times commends the film for being 'Marvel's most earnest attempt at something daring in years, bumpy as it may be,' while also wishing for a more fleshed-out backstory that doesn't rely on 'the pre-existing groundwork of a previous movie.' First Steps' 'premium cast' and 'the polish of this retro universe' take viewers on 'a smooth-enough ride that can even be periodically thrilling,' the Times writes, despite being 'a family drama disguising itself as a superhero film.'
'A worthy exercise in creating something that doesn't feel nostalgic an era'
The Los Angeles Times praises the film for bypassing character origin stories while still 'underlining that these are settled-down grown-ups secure in their abilities to lengthen, disappear, ignite and clobber.'
With 'emotionally credible performances' from its stars and a vibrant world for them to play in, the publication says the reboot is 'a worthy exercise in creating something that doesn't feel nostalgic for an era — it feels of an era.'
'The actors are so terrific and their chemistry so palpable…'
A standout feature of First Steps is the chemistry between the cast, as the Hollywood Reporter writes, 'The actors are so terrific and their chemistry so palpable that the hangout scenes in their fabulous Baxter Building penthouse — with a domestic droid that's like Rosie the Robot from The Jetsons meets Number 5 from John Badham's Short Circuit — are some of the movie's most appealing interludes.'
The publication also praises screenwriters Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer for crafting a superhero quartet that is 'also a family, struggling like most of us to handle the most daunting responsibilities life throws our way.'
The 'cosmic-level escapism we desperately need right now'
NPR lauds the film's embrace of the 'soaring appeal of superhero cinema,' as well as its commitment to 'exactly the kind of cosmic-level escapism we desperately need right now.' First Steps, with its 'retina sizzling' and 'retro-futurist visuals,' is intentionally — and expertly — ungrounded, leaving 'groundedness sulking glumly on the ground where it belongs.'
A 'solid, intelligent, occasionally inspired comic book movie'
The film's 'dazzling setting,' with its ability to 'evoke a jumbled-up amalgamation of things we've seen and things we've only dreamed of,' is reason enough to watch it, according to RogerEbert.com. On top of its top-tier look, the outlet also commends First Steps for being 'a solid, intelligent, occasionally inspired comic book movie' that manages to live up to audience expectations, thanks to its 'grounded' performances and thoughtful production design.
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Is Weapons worth watching? Critics deliver verdict on Julia Garner horror film
The new horror movie from Barbarian director Zach Cregger has received a rare score on Rotten Tomatoes. Weapons has been garnering a lot of buzz in the lead up to its release in August, with early reactions declaring it an "instant classic", and now critics have shared their thoughts officially. The horror movie, directed by Barbarian's Zach Cregger, centres on a chilling mystery in a small US town, where one night all but one student from the same class rose in the night, left their homes, and disappeared without a trace. Tensions and anger rise for the parents of the missing kids, who turn their wrath on the students' teacher, Justine (Julia Garner), as they demand answers for what went on. The film received a rare perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, who were also effusive with praise in their reviews. Reviewers were keen to keep the film's secrets sacred so that audiences could enjoy it better when it is released, but they also shared some insight into how it made them feel. Many of them remarked on the unique way the story is told, with the narrative unravelling the mystery through a number of different points of view until it all comes together in a prolific and terrifying finale. Variety's Peter Debruge was complimentary of the movie, writing: "Cregger has achieved something remarkable here, crafting a dark and twisted bedtime story of the sort the Brothers Grimm might have spun — not the kid-friendly Disney version, mind you, but the kind where characters kill on command and audiences find it difficult to sleep afterward." IndieWire's David Ehrlich celebrates the film for being a "sad, sprawling, and fun-as-hell vision of suburban despair" that is just as enjoyably as Barbarian by tapping into "'low' genre thrills". The critic remarked: "The non-linear shape of its story doesn't just allow Weapons to disguise the age-old genre pattern of tension and release, it also allows Cregger to condense it until he's completely elided the distance between horror and comedy, terror and relief, self-control and surrender." While IGN's Tom Jorgensen was awash with praise for the movie, writing that Weapons is "an absolutely delicious, scary-yet-funny blockbuster that never lets up". The critic wrote how Cregger "has refined his touch" from his work on Barbarian, a similarly unsettling horror movie that wasn't told in a conventional way. He remarked that Cregger's breakout hit was a "slow-burn full of satisfying twists and well-pitched dark humour that invited hair-raising questions about what may be going on behind your neighbour's door", and Weapons adds to that. "In this seamless patchwork of bleak terror and black humour, each trip through a dark house or neighbourhood feels equally likely to pay off with a laugh or a scare," the critic writes. "And when Cregger chooses violence, he doesn't disappoint." For The Standard's Lisa Wright kept things simple, as she wrote of the film: "If you enjoyed the bonkers roll out of The Substance, chances are you'll like this. It all makes for a winning watch, with more layers than your average scare fest and a twinkle in its evil eye." The Guardian's Benjamin Lee described Weapons as "bigger, bolder and, thankfully, better" than Barbarian, though the critic was not as taken with the film as other critics. Lee wrote: "Cregger remains a remarkably confident and alluringly immersive director, constructing some wonderfully rattling shocks and moments of seat-clenching unsureness. "His canny mood-conjuring grips us in the moment (the film is a fun, reactive experience with a big audience) and he draws a fantastically scary and nightmarishly odd performance from a late-arriving actor whose name would be a spoiler to reveal but his storytelling crumbles even before the lights come up. The finale might up the violence to a wince-inducing level but it doesn't cut anywhere near as deep as it could have, chaos without meaning." Meanwhile, CinemaBlend's Eric Eisenberg remarked that Weapons is 'not only even more audacious, but more successful' than Barbarian. "We may now be only a little more than halfway through the year, but I am wholly confident that Weapons will be remembered as one of the best films of 2025 and regarded as one of its most spectacular big screen experiences," Eisenberg wrote in his gushing review. Praising the film's "spellbinding story" that is so much more than a Rashomon-esque collection of perspectives", he added that Weapons is "also beautifully scary and unnerving." The critic added: "As a horror fan, I feel as though I am being blissfully spoiled thus far in 2025... the genre has been the great cinematic highlight of the calendar year, and Weapons is the best new release yet. "It's intimate while also being epic, it's scary while expertly utilising humour as punctuation, and even the most dedicated cinephiles will be rocked by its surprises. It's perfect and a must-see." This was a sentiment also shared by SlashFilm's Chris Evangelista, who compared Weapons to Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia and Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction for the scope of its storytelling. He wrote: "Weapons is telling a big, sprawling story from several different points of view, and as the narrative unfolds, we become aware of a much bigger picture. It's ambitious stuff, and the fact that Cregger pulls it off in a manner that seems almost effortless is a testament to his storytelling skills." The critic also similarly labelled the film one of the best of the year, adding: "A wonderful mixture of bad vibes and macabre fun, Weapons is one of the best horror movies of the year, and further confirmation that writer-director Zach Cregger is one of the most exciting voices in the genre right now." Weapons premieres in UK cinemas on Friday, 8 August.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Gwyneth Paltrow Named Astronomer 'Temporary Spokesperson' Amid Coldplay Kiss Cam Controversy
Gwyneth Paltrow Named Astronomer 'Temporary Spokesperson' Amid Coldplay Kiss Cam Controversy originally appeared on Parade. Astronomer just made an unlikely new hire amid backlash the company is facing for its CEO's involvement in the Coldplay kiss cam scandal. Just a week after Astronomer CEO Andy Byron resigned and executive Kristin Cabot followed suit, the company has hired Gwyneth Paltrow as their official "temporary spokesperson." In a hilarious move, Astronomer recruited Coldplay frontman Chris Martin's ex to speak out on behalf of the company during this turbulent time. Following the announcement, the company dropped a video with Paltrow answering commonly asked questions about the future of Astronomer. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 In the parody video, Paltrow shared that she was "hired on a very temporary basis to speak on behalf of the 300-plus employees at Astronomer." "Astronomer has gotten a lot of questions over the last few days, and they wanted me to answer the most common ones," Paltrow said as the screen showcased the number one most asked question, "OMG! What the actual f—" Before the question could be finished, the camera quickly panned back to Paltrow where she responded to a very different inquiry. "Yes, Astronomer is the best place to run Apace Airflow," Paltrow answered. "We've been thrilled so many people have a newfound interest in data automation." As for the next question, "How is your social media team holding up?" Paltrow again avoided the real question in favor of something a bit more promotional. She reminded viewers that yes, there is still room at their Beyond Analytics DataOps Conference, which is taking place this September. The unexpected campaign is drawing high praise from the internet, many of whom are calling it "iconic" and a "masterclass in PR." You can hear all that Gwyneth Paltrow had to say below. Gwyneth Paltrow Named Astronomer 'Temporary Spokesperson' Amid Coldplay Kiss Cam Controversy first appeared on Parade on Jul 26, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 26, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Actor Dean Cain, who played Superman in the '90s, reveals he joined ICE
Dean Cain was once the Man of Steel, but the TV superhero icon has a new title. Cain, who played Superman in the 1990s series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," revealed to fans that he enlisted as an officer in the federal agency U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to an Aug. 5 video shared to Cain's social media channels. "For those who don't know, I am a sworn law enforcement officer, as well as being a filmmaker, and I felt it was important to join with our first responders to help secure the safety of all Americans, not just talk about it," Cain, 59, said. "So, I joined up." USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Cain and ICE for comment. Cain also used the minute-and-a-half clip as an informal recruitment ad to tout the "great benefits" of working for ICE, which reportedly include a $50,000 signing bonus, student loan repayment, enhanced retirement benefits and special pay for individuals working in field operations and law enforcement roles. "So, if you want to help save America, ICE is arresting the worst of the worst and removing them from America's streets. I like that. I voted for that," Cain said. "They need your help. We need your help, to protect our homeland and our families." Cain's comments come amid increased scrutiny of ICE in recent months. In June, several demonstrations erupted in Los Angeles in response to a series of immigration raids carried out by the federal agency. The raids, which sparked nationwide protests, took place as part of a directive from President Donald Trump to find immigrants living in the United States without legal status. Several celebrities, including Jimmy Kimmel, Kim Kardashian, Cardi B and Mark Ruffalo, have spoken out against the ICE raids and the Trump administration's involvement. Cain portrayed DC Comics legend Clark Kent and his superhero alias, Superman, on "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" from 1993-1997. The ABC dramedy, which also starred Teri Hatcher and Lane Smith, earned five Primetime Emmy nominations during its four-year run. 'A little late now': Mark Ruffalo criticizes Joe Rogan for shock over Trump's ICE raids Dean Cain's ICE video sparks fan backlash Cain's announcement of his ICE employment did not sit well with some fans, who took to the comments section on Instagram to share their dismay over the actor's affiliation with the controversial agency. "Shame on you Dean — that's the most un-Superman thing you could possibly advocate," @supergirl_titans wrote. "You are such a massive disappointment and only bring shame to the red cape. I trusted you," @imaginairycloud commented. Stars speak out against ICE raids in LA: Jimmy Kimmel slams Trump, calls him 'arsonist with a hose' While @gomdiaz said "it's a free country," the user added: "I hope one (day) I'll understand how a person can watch the now standard footage of HOW they 'handle' human beings and not only not be sad and morally disgusted but also promote it." Despite the criticism, some fans came to Cain's defense. "Wow, you really are Superman - that is so cool!!!" @jmcmahon0278 wrote, while @anthonyhershko commented: "LEGEND!!!!!!!!!👏🫡" Meanwhile, user @jlenagha pointed out the irony of Cain's professional relationship with ICE, given the actor's Japanese heritage (Cain was born in Michigan, but his biological father is Japanese). "Immigrants that come to this country, whether they're undocumented or not, should be given due process," the user added. "Trump said he was going after gang members, criminals etc. That's not been the case. He's been going after regular people. This tarnishes my view of Dean. I'm shocked he's endorsing ICE." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Superman actor Dean Cain says he joined ICE for Americans' safety
